Write a book review

Diversity and censorship

Darren Groth book “Are you seeing me” Has been nominated for the CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers category.  

Twins Justine and Perry are at a crossroad in life. Twelve months ago their father passed away from cancer. Their mother left them when they were four. They have just turned nineteen and have now decided to take a road trip together to Canada before they go their separate ways.

Perry is different, special, literal and empathetic. He is a loving and caring brother, he also has a brain condition. For more than a year Justine has been Perry’s sole carer. This uplifting story is told with the alternating voices of the siblings as they both try to work out how their lives will be now that they are on their own.  

Perry is obsessed with earthquakes, Jackie Chan movies and mythical creatures. He even uses earthquake analogies to understand the world around him and cope with the way his brain and body reacts when things go off kilter. He also has a plan to liberate his sister from responsibilities of life.

I enjoyed reading this book, there is a lot of light-hearted humour and quirky Aussie symbolism throughout the book. The story cleverly explores themes of family, relationships, disability and social stereotypes making it an exceptional book for discussion groups. There in lay the challenge how to do the book justice in a review. Firstly I checked out the publisher’s website and read over their teacher’s resources section. Impressive. 

Random House Australia 

www.randomhouse.com.au/teachers 

When investigating CBCA book nominations to review, I also became a CBCA member and went to a judge’s talk at Sacre Coeur, Melbourne. Which I found very informative in regards to the books but also in the role of a CBCA judge. They have to read 400 titles and report on them as part of the process.

When researching censorship I found a paper presented last year, ‘Requiem for a Beast: A case study in controversy / Erica Hateley. In 2008, the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) awarded Matt Ottley’s book Requiem for a Beast: A Work for Image, Word and Music, Picture book of the Year.  Ottley’s book is about one young man’s attempts to reconcile his families and countries ruthlessness and shameful history against Aborigines, at the same time trying to comprehend why he attempted to take his own life. This caused media and public condemnation towards CBCA and the author at the time.

 Hateley’s case study involved an online survey enquiring about the presence or use of Requiem in school libraries as a result of the controversy. 

     (72%) Had read the book

      (65%) had Requiem in their collection

          How or where is it located, ...themes varied

                               picture book/graphic novel

·                             teachers only

·                             senior students

·                             restricted adults only

·                             Year 7 and above

         Requiem as a possible teaching tool:

·                             used for the Stolen Generation studies

·                             considering it for inclusion in the year 11-12 curriculum for an                                   Indigenous Issues story
·                      For art

·                              Identity Area of Study

Hateley claimed that the CBCA Award got the book into school libraries, but that the controversy (real or perceived) is keeping it out of circulation (literal or symbolic). (Hateley, 2014) 

Referance  

CHildren's Book Council of Australia. (2015). Retrieved from

http://cbca.org.au/ 

Groth, D. (2014). Are you seeing me. North Sydney. Random House Australia. 

Hateley, E. (2014). Requiem for a Beast: A case studyin controversy. The Asian Conference on Literature & Librarianship 2014 Official Conference Proceedings Retrieved from 

http://eprints.qut.edu.au/72924/3/72924%28pub%29.pdf 

Random House Australia. (2015). Retrieved from 
www.randomhouse.com.au/teachers 

Analyse and evaluate a website designed for children or young adults

State Library of Victoria, The Centre for Youth Literature, Inside a dog website.

Digital materials/resources and emerging technologies

‘Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside a dog, it’s too dark to read.’

– Groucho Marx

"Inside a dog" website achieves exactly what it sets out to achieve, a safe space for teenagers to talk together about books and stories. The popular and fun website is Australia’s peer book-reviewing site for young people.  I found the layout bright, clear, friendly and appealing. The websites great use of videos and book trailers are amazing. Its clever use of visual presentation and its well-paced timing on the homepage are also skilfully done. Information on the website is constantly updated proving that the site is topical.

"Inside a dog" also encourages involvement with the website by offering clear and straightforward instructions to become a registered user. Then you can write your own book reviews, comment on others or join and or manage a book club if you like. "Inside a dog" also provides an opportunity for students to post material and interact in a safe environment, and to learn to work in a collaborative and supportive manner in an on-line space. All content and comments are moderated for anything inappropriate before being uploaded as a post. Once you become a “trusted” user then your post can be live. Inside a dog has a clear expectation of website etiquette and being respectful of others.

"Inside a dog" website has dual purpose’s, fantastic and interactive for young people and brilliant as a teacher resource. Its educational content is excellent and diverse from curriculum requirements advice to clearly explaining copyright practice appropriate for students and or teachers. In the ‘Teachers’ section a lot of care and attention has been given to encourage and support literacy and learning. The menu guide on the right hand side is comprehensive and extensive.  

There is one recommendation that I suggest the website needs and that is a ' top of the page’ button.

In 2014 at a PLVN CYS seminar I was introduced to ‘Scratch’ by Emma Hewitt from SLV. Scratch is a visual programming language that allows simple and quick creation of interactive stories, games, and multimedia. When I spotted the link to Scratch on "Inside a dog" multimedia resources section I went exploring. The programme is a free download that helps students learn to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively.

To start with it uses simple inter connect/snap blocks to make your character/sprite move, add sound, costumes, add or change backgrounds or include new sprites. By inter connecting directional blocks you can make your story come alive. Then share it with others. Students can also download and remix projects created by other site users. I have been talking to colleges’ at SLIS about running Scratch learning project in the school holidays.

Scratch is designed and maintained by the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab.

https://scratch.mit.edu/

https://llk.media.mit.edu/scratch/Learning-with-Scratch.pdf 

State Library of Victoria, Centre for Youth Literature (CYL), Inside a dog Retrieved from

http://www.insideadog.com.au/

Attend and document a conference/workshop/presentation/event

PLVN Children's & Youth Seminar/Workshop - Theme 'Diversity' 
Friday 24 April, 2015 Bendigo Library.

View a detailed description of the seminar here  

The PLVN Children’s & Youth Service (CYS) Seminar on ‘Diveristy’ was a resounding success. Seventy three participants and twelve presenters journeyed to Bendigo for an educational and enlightening day. I have attended PLVN CYS seminars & workshops for nearly twenty years and I have always found them to be very informative, inspiring and great networking opportunities.

Program outline:-

•          Introduction to the new Bendigo Library
•          Libraries 2030 Presentation 
•          ‘That’s my Auntie-using community publishing to engage vulnerable              children and families’ 
•          Organising a literature festival for a diverse community
•          Library programs for the Burmese Community
•          Lego Therapy Program
•          Youth Photography Competition
•          Literacy needs and challenges in the diverse communities of the                  Bendigo area
•          Picture Books for Older Readers: dealing with themes of diversity and          other issues. 

Professionally the ‘Youth Photography Competition was very interesting. We at SLIS have already discussed implementing our own version as part of the SLIS Literature Festival later in the year. A similar program was mentioned at a CYS seminar last year. It has been decided that instigating a Youth Photography competition at SLIS will be a worthwhile opportunity to attract this age group to the library.

It was also encouraging to learn of programs being provided to children with special needs. Especially the Lego therapy program at Hume library service which I thought was a wonderful and apt program. Using picture storyboards that explained where they were going and what to expect. To also explain acceptable behavioural expectations which can be a major barrier to children who are on the spectrum. Children’s Librarian Jo Kaeding, 2014 recipient of the Twila Ann Janssen Herr Research Award for Disability Services, asks “how public libraries can provide an opportunity for children with special needs and their families to be part of the community that they live in?” Her research project will investigate how Australian public libraries can provide and improve access for children with special needs and their families (Kaeding, J. 2014 & Kaeding, J 2014).  I have a personal interest in this information as I have made friends with a Down syndrome baby and his family who come to my storytime and have an autistic boy and his carer who occasionally visits just before we close on a Tuesday.

The added benefit of attending PLVN Children’s & Youth Seminars are the extra discussion points from the audience participants. Other professional or new programs are discussed in connection to the topic or themes. New knowledge and ideas willingly shared and best practices are highlighted and explained. Contact details and web addresses shared.

Additional information topics mentioned and further explored.

Autism Victoria. 

http://www.amaze.org.au/ 

ACTNOW Autism Consultation & Training NOW.

http://www.med.monash.edu.au/scs/psychiatry/developmental/clinical-research/act-now/

http://www.med.monash.edu.au/scs/psychiatry/developmental/clinical-research/act-now/fact-sheets.html

Do2Learn: Educational Resources for Special Needs. 

http://www.do2learn.com/ 

Sue Larkey. 

Autism and Aspergers Resources for Teachers, Teacher Aides and Parents includes Workshops and Training.

http://www.suelarkey.com/

Berry Street Family Service. 

http://www.berrystreet.org.au/AboutUs

Bridges out of Poverty training. 

http://socialsolutions.com.au/workshops/bridges-out-of-poverty/

Creative Communities: the cultural benefits of Victoria’s public libraries. 

http://www.plvn.net.au/sites/default/files/Creative%20Communities%20FINAL%20REPORT%20med-res.pdf   

Dolly Parton “Imagination program”. 

http://www.imaginationlibrary.com/

Hippy Australia, families learning together. 

http://hippyaustralia.bsl.org.au/

Let’s Read program. 

http://www.letsread.com.au/    

Mother Goose program. 

http://www.mothergooseprograms.org/

Rosetta Stone pioneered the use of interactive software to accelerate language learning. 

http://www.rosettastone.co.uk/about 

Reference

Kaeding, J. (2014). Increasing access to public libraries for children with special needs and their families. The Australian Library Journal , 63(4). 320-324.

Kaeding, J. (2014). ALIA research grant to study accessibility for special needs children. Incite 35 (11/12). 17.

Interview a child and/or youth service librarian

Young people's book awards.

The State Library of Victoria, Centre for Youth Literature (CYL) Inky Awards.

  

Interview with Jordi Kerr

Learning Programs Officer, Centre for Youth Literature.  

Read my interview with Jordi here.

My reflection

Undertaking this activity has made me aware that the “Inky Awards” were established in 2007, and that research shows the importance of peer recommendation and freedom of choice in inspiring young adults to read. Which was the basis of the Centre for Youth Literature’s Inside a Dog website, and the Inky Awards developed from there. I have since found out are in compliance with the Australia Council (2000) Reading Families project, to establish an Australian Youth Literature Web Site and National Youth Jury Award. As complementary projects that respond to and support a key need expressed in the research: the lack of adequate, appropriate and acceptable recommendations of reading material.  

 (Australia Council, 2000. p 10)

That CYL run ‘the Inky Awards judging as a mentoring program for youth literary critics, and ultimately they are looking for that ability for the participants to read critically, and to share that with others in both a compelling and gracious manner. The selection of judges is also designed to reflect as many of the different reading interests of young adults as possible’. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) recommend involving young adults in decision making, planning, and implementing programs for themselves as a best practice that contributes to positive youth development (IFLA, p 5-6).

In answering question 4, Jordi explained that ‘Longlisted authors receive the benefits of additional promotion and support by the Centre for Youth Literature. Inky Awards books reflect what teens want to read and championing those views are a core aim of the Centre.   

As a Children’s Library Officer for Stonnington Library & Information Services (SLIS) I found the interview relevant and enlightening in finding out more information about the “Inky Awards” and Inside a Dog website to recommend with confidence to our young adults and parents. CYL dream is for every library to be able to run an Inky Awards event or reading program. I was unaware of this goal and I will put forward a recommendation to instigate an Inky Awards event for SLIS young adults. 

Reference 

Australia Council. (2000). Young Australians reading: From keen to reluctant readers. Retrieved May 10, 2015,

http://2014.australiacouncil.gov.au/resources/reports_and_publications/subjects/youth/young_australians_reading/Young_Australians_Reading.pdf 

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (2009) IFLA Libraries for Children and Young adults Section (Revised) Guidelines for Library services for young adults (p5-6)

http://www.ifla.org/files/assets/libraries-for-children-and-ya/publications/ya-guidelines2-en.pdf 

State Library of Victoria. (2015). Centre for Youth Literature (CYL) Guidelines 
            Retrieved from

http://www.insideadog.com.au/page/guidelines 

           State Library of Victoria. (2015). Centre for Youth Literature (CYL) Inky Awards. 
           Retrieved from 

http://www.insideadog.com.au/page/inky-awards 

           State Library of Victoria. (2015). Centre for Youth Literature (CYL) Inky Judges

Retrieved from 

http://www.insideadog.com.au/inkys/judges